Immunoelectrophoresis agar-gel punch

ABSTRACT

An agar-gel punch and cutter for use in the separation of serum proteins by the practice of Immunoelectrophoresis. A particular combination and arrangement of elements, which includes a base for supporting agar-gel covered microscopic slides and a hinged top, which is provided with a multiplicity of depending resiliently mounted, adjustable punches, for making holes in the agar-gel, and a plurality of resiliently mounted pairs of spaced blades for forming troughs in the agar-gel, there being an adjustable, eccentric pivot between the base and top to permit the leveling of the top with respect to the slide, and there being an adjustable and resilient element between the base and the top to limit the relative movement when the parts are parallel.

United States Patent [72] lnventor [211 App]. No.

[22] Filed [45] Patented [54] IMMUNOELECTROPHORFSIS AGAR-GEL PUNCH 1 13; 249/60, 172; 83/599, 607-609, 682; 72/469; ,ll3/ll6A, ll6Z [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,200,270 5/ 1940 Flores 25/105 2,230,778 2/1941 Flores..... 25/105 2,564,156 8/1951 Eden 83/608 X 3,384,941 5/1968 Koikeetal 3,520,220 7/1970 Acker Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-Ben D. Tobor Attorney-Edward M. Apple ABSTRACT: An agar-gel punch and cutter for use in the separation of serum proteins by the practice of Immunoelectrophoresis.

A particular combination and arrangement of elements, which includes a base for supporting agar-gel covered microscopic slides and a hinged top, which is provided with a multiplicity of depending resiliently mounted, adjustable punches, for making holes in the agar-gel, and a plurality of resiliently mounted pairs of spaced blades for forming troughs in the agar-gel, there being an adjustable, eccentric pivot between the base and top to permit the leveling of the top with respect to the slide, and there being an adjustable and resilient element between the base and the top to limit the relative movement when the parts are parallel.

Patented Aug. 24, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IrIEI I II I 4 II I III I 40 v I l INVENTOR W14 75/? FA RR/S IMMUNOELECTROPHORESIS AGAR-GEL PUNCH This invention relates to medical research and has particular reference to an agar-gel punch and cutter for use in the separation of serum proteins by the practice of Immunoelectrophoresis.

An object of the invention is to provide an agar-gel punch and cutter which is constructed with a wide range of variables, so that a multiplicity of samples may be run at one time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of interchangeable punches, each of which is resiliently mounted and adjustable for depth of cut.

Another object of the invention is the provision of the device of the character indicated in which the punches are resiliently mounted on an adjustable bar.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a plurality of pairs of spaced blades which are resiliently mounted to their carriers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a base for supporting microscopic slides and a top member which is eccentrically mounted to the base, so that the top and base may be placed in parallel relation, whereby to compensate for slides of different thickness and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for limiting the movement of the top with respect to the base, when the parts are in relative parallel position.

Another object of the invention is to generally improve devices of the character indicated and to provide an agar-gel cutter and punch, which is light in weight, versatile in adjustment, and one which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and efficient in use.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawings, forming part of the within disclosure, in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device embodying the invention with the top removed, and showing an agar-gel treated, microscopic, slide in position on the base.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device embodying the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side, elevational view of the invention device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plane view of a microscopic slide which is covered with agar-gel, and showing the condition of the gel after it has been acted upon by the device embodying the invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the line of 55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail, in section, showing a pair of cutting blades and the means of mounting the same.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary detail, with parts in section, illustrating the eccentric mounting of the top to the base, and showing the adjustability of the punch carrier bar.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be understood, that in the embodiment herein disclosed, the reference character 11 indicates, in general, the base of the device embodying the invention, on which is positioned a microscopic slide 12, the surface of which is treated with agargel 13 (FIG. 4). The base 11 is provided with front, back, and side stop members l4, l5, and 16, which serve as retainers for the slide 12, and limit its movement on the base 11. The base 11 is preferably made of an aluminum casting which has cutout portions 17 and 18 (FIG. 3) for the saving of weight.

Pivotally mounted to the base 11, as at 19 (FIGS. 3 and 8), is a top member 20, which is also preferably made of an aluminum casting, and which serves as the carrier for the punches and cutter blades, as hereinafter described.

The pivot 19 has a cam portion 21 (FIG. 8), which may be rotated by means of an external slot 22 (FIG. 3), so that various degrees of eccentricity may be effected between the base member 11 and the top member 20. The cam 21 is held against rotation by means of a set screw 23. The cam adjustment between the base 11 and the top 30 is provided so that the cutting blades hereinafter described may always be brought into parallel relationship with the slide 12.

An adjustable stop 24 is provided at the free end of the top member 20. The stop 24 is spring biased as at 25, so that there is a resilient relation between the base 11 and the top 20. Various degrees of spring tension may be exerted on the spring 25 by the threaded elements between the spring carrier 26, the knob 27, and a locknut 38.

Secured to the underside of the top member 20, by means of machine screws 29, are blade carrier bars 30 and 31. The bars 30 and 31 are also preferably made of aluminum and are longitudinally bored as at 32, into which bores 32 are extended flexible rubber tubing elements 33, which serve as mounting means for the pairs of spaced cutter blades 34, which reciprocate in slots 35 formed in the bar 30, the blades of each pair being separated by spacers 36. It will be understood that the pairs of cutter blades 34 are provided with suitable bores 37, for receiving the rubber tubular members 33. The rubber tubular members 33 are held against displacement by means of set screws 38. With this arrangement, it will be seen that the pairs of cutter blades 34 are resiliently mounted for reciprocation in the slots 35.

A third carrier bar 39 is also mounted to the top member 20 between the carrier bars 30 and 31 (FIGS. 3 and 8). The top member 20 has a longitudinal slot 40 therein (FIG. 8), in which is slideable a threaded member 41, at the upper end of which is carried a knurled nut 42, the lower end of the member 41 being threaded into a bore 39 formed in the carrier 39.

The carrier bar 39 is provided with a plurality of vertical bores 43, in each of which bores 43 is a plunger bushing 44, which is externally threaded and arranged to be received in the internal threads of the bore 43, so that by rotating the bushing 44, various lengths may be given to the punches 45. The plunger bushing 44 may be turned in the threaded bore 43 by means of a screw driver or special tool, which is received in a slot 46, formed in the lower end of the bushing 44. The carrier bar 39 has a longitudinal bore 47, in which is received a resilient tubular member 48, which is held in position at either end by means of machine screws 49. With this arrangement, it will be seen that the plungers 45 are also provided with a certain degree of resiliency by reason of the tubular member 48.

The carrier bar 39 with its depending plungers 45 may be moved longitudinally along the top member 20 into various positions, by first loosening the knurled nut 42 and moving the assembly along the slot 40. This makes it possible for the operator to position the punch holes at various locations, with reference to the troughs formed in the agar-gel by the blades 34.

In using the device, the punches 45 are moved into the desired position on the top member 20, and the punches are positioned to make the proper holes in the agar-gel, and the cam 22 on the pivot 19 is adjusted so that the top 20 and the blades 34 can be made parallel with the slide 12. The stop member 24 is then adjusted to limit the downward movement of the top member 20, so that the blades and punches may properly penetrate the agar-gel without exerting excessive pressure on the glass slide. After the troughs 50 and the holes 51 are formed in the agar-gel by the blades and punches, the slide is then ready for the conventional Immunoelectrophoresis process.

The process forms no part of the invention, consequently, I will not describe it. The practice is well-described in the I-Iyland Laboratories publication Immunoelectrophoresis in Agar-Gel by Kingdon Lou and Joseph Iseri.

It is believed that the operation of the device is obvious from the forgoing description.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An agar-gel punch and cutter comprising the combination of a base having an area thereon for receiving a microscopic slide, a top member pivoted to said base, said top member having laterally arranged carrier bats secured thereto, one of said bars being adjustable with respect to the others, said one bar having a plurality of gel punches adjustably secured thereto, said other carrier bars having slots therein in which are received pairs of spaced cutting blades.

3. The structure of claim 1, in which said punches and said cutter blades are biased in said carrier bars by resilient tubular members.

3. The structure of claim 1, inwhich the pivot between said base and said top member is eccentrically adjustable.

4. The structure of claim 1, including an adjustable, resilient stop member for limiting the amount of pressure said punches and blades may exert on a slide positioned on said base.

5. The structure of claim 1, in which said top member has a longitudinal slot therein, a threaded element secured at one end to said one bar and having a knurled nut at the opposite end, arranged to exert pressure on said bar, said element being slidably received in said slot.

6. The structure of claim 1, in which said other carrier bars are bored longitudinally and said cutter blades are provided with bores which align with said longitudinal bores, there being resilient tubular members received in said bores and adapted to resiliently support said cutter blades. 

3. The structure of claim 1, in which said punches and said cutter blades are biased in said carrier bars by resilient tubular members.
 3. The structure of claim 1, in which the pivot between said base and said top member is eccentrically adjustable.
 4. The structure of claim 1, including an adjustable, resilient stop member for limiting the amount of pressure said punches and blades may exert on a slide positioned on said base.
 5. The structure of claim 1, in which said top member has a longitudinal slot therein, a threaded element secured at one end to said one bar and having a knurled nut at the opposite end, arranged to exert pressure on said bar, said element being slidably received in said slot.
 6. The structure of claim 1, in which said other carrier bars are bored longitudinally and said cutter blades are provided with bores which align with said longitudinal bores, there being resilient tubular members received in said bores and adapted to resiliently support said cutter blades. 